I am interested in getting some feedback on this point:
In a recent incident, there was perhaps no legal issue, but there was an undeniable perception that something unethical had occurred. What are your views on the thin red line between these points (i.e. "legal" and "perceived as unethical")
Should we try to step up to the plate and keep to the high moral ground where we even avoid the perception of unethical behaviour ?
How can we do this without moving far from what the average elected official can think with ?
Any thought/comments are welcome.
Conflicts of Interest
April 13, 2006
Prohibited Communications during Contracting
I saw on the web that Miami-Dade has a "cone of silence" rule (love the name), which prohibits contact with government personnel including elected officials while contract solicitation responses are under evaluation.
I would like to hear from or about any other cities that have communication restrictions rules regarding the contract selection process, and any challenges against such rules. Thanks.
Helen Valkavich
City of San Antonio
Ethics Codes & Reform
February 27, 2006
Government Imposing Ethics Code on Contractor
Has any one had any experience where the government unit has oursourced what would normally be considered a government activity and then imposed the government's ethics policy on the contractor?
January 27, 2006
K Street's New Ways Spawn More Pork
January 12, 2006
Lobbyists' Emergence Reflects Shift in Capital Culture
December 8, 2005
Cities & Counties Initiatives for COGEL
COGEL Task Force -- Local and Municipal Ethics Initiatives
Members
CHAIR: Carla Miller, Ethics Officer, City of Jacksonville, Florida VICE-CHAIR: John Steiner, Austin, TX Ethics Commission Mark Davies, New York City Conflict of Interest Board Helen Valkavich, City of San Antonio, TX Robert Meyers, Miami/Dade Ethics Commission Leeann Pelham, Los Angeles City Ethics Commission
November 24, 2005
Character Counts !
Character Counts ! - National Office
Josephson Institute of Ethics
9841 Airport Blvd., Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Tel: (310) 846-4800
Fax: (310) 846-4858
July 29, 2005
Ex-South Gate treasurer convicted in bribery case
From the Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2005
By David Rosenzweig
Albert Robles, the charismatic and volatile South Gate treasurer who dominated politics in the small, blue-collar city during two tumultuous years, was convicted Thursday of soliciting more than $1.8 million in bribes from bidders on municipal contracts.
July 28, 2005
FORUMs in Community building
The use of a self-registration based community website is a relatively new thing for the webmasters of the world.
June 23, 2005
It's time to erect a red light at door to the green room
The [Jacksonville] City Council's now notorious green room had members of the city's Ethics Commission seeing red earlier this week.